Infamous ”Chaddi Gang” active in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts!?

Team Udayavani, Jul 8, 2024, 8:46 AM IST

Mangaluru: Information has reached the police about the activities of a gang of thieves, known as the “Chaddi Gang,” in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi regions.

This gang, consisting of thieves from Hyderabad, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, has previously committed house burglaries in Dakshina Kannada, Shivamogga, and Udupi districts. On Saturday night, a house theft occurred in Kodikal, under the Urwa police station limits in Mangaluru. Police suspect the involvement of the same gang in this incident.

What is the Chaddi Gang?

The Chaddi Gang members are known to wear only shorts, vests, and a cloth around their heads. They usually carry weapons around their waists. According to the police, these gangs typically operate on rainy nights when residents are in deep sleep.

House Burglary While Residents Were Asleep

Early on Sunday, thieves broke into a house in Vivekananda Nagar, Kodikal, while the residents were asleep. Around 2:04 AM, a gang of five burglars removed the window grilles to enter the house, rummaged through a room, and eventually entered the bedroom where the residents were sleeping. They stole Rs 10,000 in cash from a cupboard. The incident came to light when the residents woke up the next morning. A case has been registered at the Urwa police station.

Thieves Captured on CCTV

The neighboring house’s CCTV captured some footage of the burglary. The footage shows five men wearing shorts, holding torches, entering the house around 2:04 AM and leaving at 3:42 AM. One of them was carrying a bag. The house is located next to the road, surrounded by other houses. When the thieves exited the house, a vehicle passed by on the road, causing them to pause at the gate before moving to the street. One of the thieves was also seen throwing a stone at a barking dog, as captured in the CCTV footage. The police noted that the dress code matched that of the Chaddi Gang.

Fearless Theft

The thieves were seen searching the house with torches without any apparent fear. According to the CCTV footage, they spent around 1 hour and 40 minutes inside the house. They left the house and descended the roadside stairs.

Possible Connection to Balakunje Theft

Last Thursday, there were thefts in two houses in Neeralki, Balakunje. The thieves broke the back door of one house and stole gold and cash. Another house in the same area was also robbed. There is a suspicion that these crimes could also be the work of the Chaddi Gang.

Previous Robbery Caused Alarm

On June 21, a gang of about 10 people committed a robbery at Padmanabha Kotyan’s house in Ulayaibettu Permanki, under the Mangaluru Rural Police Station limits. They stabbed the residents with knives, tied them up, and robbed them of gold and cash. Several suspects have been arrested in connection with this case, which had already caused public concern. Now, the activities of the Chaddi Gang have further alarmed citizens.

Police Advisory for Caution

In light of the Chaddi Gang and other theft incidents, Mangaluru police have urged the public to take precautions:

• Securely lock windows and doors at night.
• Keep valuables in bank safe lockers rather than at home.
• Ensure CCTV cameras in homes and surroundings are in good working condition.
• Immediately report any suspicious or unfamiliar persons to the emergency services at 112 or the nearest police station.
• Ensure street lights and public lights in residential areas are functioning. If not, inform
• Mescom/Mangaluru City Corporation/local corporators.
• Provide information to beat police officers if there are isolated houses, locked homes, or houses with only senior citizens or women residents.